BRITAIN: Britain said yesterday that al-Qaeda had targeted parliament and called for an urgent security shake-up after two embarrassing breaches in 24 hours.
"The security services briefed me some time ago about intelligence they had about al-Qaeda operatives in Britain focusing on parliament," said the government's leader in the House of Commons, Mr Peter Hain.
He declined to give details of the intelligence information but added: "I was very determined to act upon it."
These fears have prompted an urgent review of security.
Fox hunting supporters stormed the Commons earlier this week without challenge. The next day an undercover reporter managed to smuggle fake bomb-making equipment into parliament.
"What I want is a new professional director of security who has responsibility and authority right across parliament," Mr Hain said before congratulating the Sun tabloid for the stunt by a reporter who got a job as a waiter with bogus references and showed what a farce security had become at a time when Britain is a prime terror target due to its pro-US foreign policy.
"What if - as the Sun has exposed - that had been a suicide terrorist? That is the horrifying reality we now face," Mr Hain told BBC Radio. - (Reuters)